The New Zealand Girl.

Manawatu Herald, 1 September 1904, Page 2

The New Zealand Girl.

LADY PLUNKBT’S UNFAVOURABLE IMPRESSIONS. During her stay in Dunedin, Lady Plunket was interviewed by a lady member of the Times staff. She said:—“We like Wellington very much. Only one thing impresses me unfavourably. Of course, I know that colonial girls possess freedom that those at Home do not have, but it does seem to me a pity that one should see troops of young girls of 14 or 15 parading the streets, apparently released from parental control. And how expensively they do dress.” “Mothers,” said the interviewer, “ have not as much control over their daughters apparently as they once had.” “ Mothers’ Unions,” replied Lady Plunket, “ would do a great deal in rousing them to a sense of duty. I hear the one in Dunedin does admirable work.” Lady Plunket spoke of the attitude of the modern girl towards married women and those older than herself, and said that even to mothers there was a lack of that deference and courtesy which was at one time indispensable as a mark of good breeding. “ I notice it here,” she said, “ even more than in England. Girls do not dream of rising on the entrance of married ladies and will even allow their mother to get up and come to them on little trifles, instead of instantly rising and going to her.”